advanced respritory symptoms

Question
We have a very sweet dumbo rat who we found walking down the sidewalk at night two months ago. We took her to a vet as soon as we got her warm, food,and water. We don't know her story but she was clearly someones pet,as she is very loving and tame. She walks with her head tilted sideways with no ear infection which would suggest to me trauma or Neurological issues. This has not seemed to bother her in anyway. We named her tilt. My question is she now seems to have a fast progressing respratory illness.I.am getting scared it's too late. She is still eating drinking and eliminating normally and still appears to love snuggle and playtime. Her breathing is gurgly and loud especially at night but pretty constant now. I do not have the several hundreds of dollars it could take for such advanced tx's. I am on social security and am lucky to pay the rent. Please don't misunderstand, they eat before we do, have the best bedding,cages,toys,etc. I guess it's a question of quality of life and am wondering your advice would be about puting her down before anymore suffering as I feel too in love with her to maybe have proper perspective. Please help.

Answer
Hi Laura

First of all, that is just terrible someone tossed that little dumbo outside to live on her own!! It is a sign that you found her, obviously.  As for her head tilt, she still could have had an infection that as never treated.  An ear infection that isnt treated can lead to permanent head tilt, but again since we dont know her history, your right, it could have been from trauma too. If it were neurological, there would be other signs along with the head tilt such as being off balance, walking in circles etc...  As for the respiratory infection:How long has she had it? What makes you think it is advanced?  It could easily be treated with 30 days of baytril. Since you already have a Vet, I dont see why you couldnt explain what is going on and simply go in and pick up a bottle of baytril. It shouldnt run more than $25.   As for suffering, if she is acting ok and not gasping for air or having panic attacks etc... I would not put her to sleep.  Still, I do know how pricey Vets can be so that is why I wanted to know about how long she has had this as far as the time she has been with you. Honestly, to treat her for this wont cost any more than it would to be her to sleep, esp if the vet is willing to work with you and prescribe the baytril without seeing her.